The hazards of premature release: Recidivism outcomes of blended-sentenced juvenile homicide offenders

Abstract

PurposeThis study explored the deep-end juvenile sentencing structure of blended sentencing by examining correlates – pre-incarceration social and delinquent backgrounds and institutional behavior outcomes – of serious recidivism among a large sample of juvenile homicide offenders. MethodsThis study reports on the ten-year survival analysis of 221 juvenile homicide offenders committed to juvenile incarceration under Texas' blended sentencing structure. Serious recidivism was operationalized as a felony arrest and the Royston–Parmar model clustered the resulting coefficients by subjects' race classifications. ResultsThe majority of juvenile homicide offenders were rearrested for a felony offense within 10years post-incarceration. Net a number of control variables, three institutional metrics significantly increased the risk of felony recidivism among the cohort of juvenile homicide offenders. A history of assaultive behavior toward correctional staff and elevated observed program disruption scores correlated with greater recidivism risk, while longer time incarcerated was correlated with lower risks of recidivism. ConclusionsFindings reported here suggest a degree of continuity between institutional behavior and recidivism outcomes among these young adult offenders. The insulating effects of longer incarceration periods against serious recidivism and diminished recidivism risk during the final years of the study provide the basis for theoretical and policy implications.